Self-kindling charcoal briquette package



April 3, 1962 M. P. cHAPLlN 3,028,228

SELF-KINDLING CHARCOAL BRIQUETTE PACKAGE Filed Feb. l0, 1960 2Sheelzs-Shee'rI 1 @Mza/@Mu BY KRRL. LOCKS ATTORNEY April 3, 1962 M. P.cHAPLlN SELF-KINDLING CHARCOAL BRIQUETTE PACKAGE Filed Feb. 1o, 1960 2Sheets-Sheet 2 l NVENTOR ATTORNEY 21h@ PQQ/LV Km u).

United States Patent @ffice 3,@28223 Patented Apr. 3, 1962 3,028,228SELF-KINDLING CHARCOAL BRIQUETTE PACKAGE Merle P. Chaplin, SouthPortland, Maine, assignor to Diamond National Corporation, New York,N.Y., a

corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 10, 1960, Ser. No. 7,936 10 Claims.(Cl. 44-14) This invention relates generally to an improved selfkindlingcharcoal briquette.

The use of charcoal `as a fuel for broiling food has fast becomewidespread and is rapidly increasing. Charcoal has in the past beengenerally packaged in relatively large bags, and it is usually a messy`and time-consu-ming task to prepare and ignite a charcoal re in a grillpreparatory to cooking. Usually, the relatively small charcoalbriquettes must be saturated with a kindling fuel and, `after ignition,which usually causes a relatively large `and sudden ame, the briquettes,if ignited, will eventually form a bed of coals.

In addition to the handling of charcoal briquettes, which is arelatively dirty task, la large part of the heat from the kindling fuelis dissipated into the air and serves no useful purpose. Further, thesudden flame caused during initial ignition is a potential danger toanyone near the flame and the storage of the can of kindling fuel aboutthe home constitutes a potential fire hazard, especially to children.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a novel charcoalbriquette package which generally avoids all the shortcomings of theprior art, and which is readily and economically manufactured, easilypacked, handled and stored, and which is readily ignitable, and whichwill form `a suitable bed of coals in a ready and expeditious manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a charcoal briquettepackage which is self-kindling, and which will u-tilize a major portionof the kindling heat to ignite the interior of the briquette and whichis susceptible to being subsequently broken up after internal ignitionin order to form a suitable bed of coals.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a solid charcoalbriquette of a dimension conducive to ready packing and handling with aminimum of damage during transit, and which includes interior passagesforming a flue-like arrangement to insure ready combustibility of thekindling material contained therein, and which said package is wrappedwith a combustible wrapper which may be punctured lat predeterminedlocations to form draft openings and a fuse strip for the kindlingmaterial therein.

Other objects and Ithe nature and advantages of the instant inventionwill become apparent from the following description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment of theinvention, wherein:

FIGURE l is a perspective view looking in at an upper corner of thenovel briquette package;

FIGURE 2 is Ia perspective view looking in at a lower comer of thebriquette package;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the novel briquettepackage showi-ng the upper and lower block elements and kindlingmaterial removed from the co-mbustible wrapper;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged section taken substantially on line 4-4 ofFIGURE l;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged 4bottom plan view of the underside of the upperblock element of the package; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken sub stantially on line 66 of FIGURE 5. Referring to the drawings in detail, a charcoal briquette24 -to Iform lateral passages therein.

package is indicated generally at 10, the preferred embodiment of thepack-age disclosing it to be rectangularly shaped and including acombustible outer Wrapper 12 of any suitable material, which includes onthe upper surface 14 land spaced about the peripheral side edge 16punoturable portions for insuring a proper draft through the block afterit has been ignited. Formed on the bottom 18 of the package is aserrated tear strip 20 which will be torn along three sides to form asuitable fuse to ignite a kindling material contained within the blockas will subsequently be described in detail.

The block will be constructed of any suitable charcoal material suitablybound together to form the rectangular configuration disclosed. Theblock comprises a body member indicated generally at 22 including anupper block element 24 and a lower block element 26. Sandwiched inbetween the block elements 24 and 26 is a reotangularly conformedkindling material 28 which may be saturated with a suitable fuel mixtureif desired.

The lower block element 26 includes a relatively flat bottom 30 havingdepending from the corners thereof a suitable foot portion 32. In orderto utilize all o-f the heat provided in combustion of the charcoalbriquette, if desired, the underside 30 of the lower block element 26may have secured thereto a sheet of heat reflecting material, such asaluminum foil 34, for example.

Extending through the bottom 30 of the lower block element 26 is acentral opening 36 which is in alignment with the tear strip 20 of thewrapper 12.

Formed in the upper surface of the lower block element 26 and inwardlyof the side edges thereof is a rectangular groove 38 which isintersected by lateral groove portions `40 opening into the outside ofthe block element. The grooves 40 are not as deep as the groove 38 and,as will become apparent, will cooperate with complementary grooveportions of the upper block element Extending diagonally of the cornersof the groove 38 are radial passage portions 42 which communicate withthe central opening 36. The passage portions 32 are `of substantiallythe same depth as the lateral passage portions 4t). Disposed at rightlangles to the sides of the rectangular groove 38 and in betweenadjacent `diagonal grooves 42, are groove portions 44 which extendangularly from the groove 38 down toward the bottom 30 of the blockelement. Extending about the outer edge of the block element 26 is anundercut portion 46 forming shoulder portions 48 to receive thereon amating portion of the block element 24 as will subsequently bedescribed.

Block 24 will be described by utilizing primed reference characters todesignate portions which overlie or which are complementary to similarportions of the lower block element 26.

The upper Ablock element 24 includes a solid recessed portion 36' whichwill overlie the central opening 36 of the lower block, the recessedportion 36 being substantially rectangular and communicating by means ofdiagonally disposed radial passage portion 42 with a rectangularinwardly disposed groove portion 38. Ihe groove portion 38 communicateswith the outer side edges of block element 24 by means of lateralpassage portions 40', and communicates with the recessed portion 36 bymeans of right angularly ldisposed passage portions 44. It will be notedthat the groove portion 38 and passage portions 44 are considerablywider and deeper than groove portion 38 and passage portions 44 of thelower block element, which they respectively overlie, see FIGURE 4, andthe passage portions 44 are inclined upwardly from the recessed portion36 to the groove portion 38.

Extending transversely through the upper surface of the block element 24and the groove 38', radial passage portions 42', recessed portion 36 andpassage portions 44', are apertures or vertical passages 5d which insurethe proper movement of exhaust gases from the interior of the briquette,it being noted that the openings 52 at each of the corners of the groove38 are of a slightly larger diameter than the passages 5t). Thisexpedient would permit the package to ignite properly without all of thevertical passages being punctured during initial ignition. However, itis readily apparent that as many of the passages as are required may bepunctured in order to insure proper circulation and combustion of thebriquette.

The block element 24 is undercut at 46 to receive the shoulder 48 of thelower block element 26 therein and to prevent relative lateral movementbetween the block elements.

The ignition material or kindling element 28 is rectangularly conformedand may comprise a readily inammable paper pulp material which, ifdesired, may be impregnated or saturated with a readily inflammablefuel. The element 28 includes rectangularly disposed side ribs S4 ofsubstantially the same dimension as the groove 38 and, as clearly seenin FIGURE 4, will lie in the groove 38 and intermediately Vof the groove38. The side rail or rib 54 is connected to a cross-shaped portion 56which comprises legs which will be disposed in the overlying portions44, 44', it being noted that the portions 44 extend a substantial extentover the upper surface of the legs 56. Legs 56 are connected to arectangular portion 58 centrally aperture at 60 to insure a good draftthrough the overlying vertical passage 50. It will be noted that theinner edges of the passage portions 44 afford a considerable spacebeneath the legs 56 so that sutlicient air will be provided forcombustion of the legs 56. In addition, considerable space is providedabove the legs 56 and side ribs 54 to insure ignition of the upper blockelement 24.

As previously mentioned, the package initially comes in the conditiondisclosed in FIGURES l and 2, and when it is desired to start thecharcoal nre utilizing the briquette of the invention, the tear strip 20is torn `and ignited after the vertical passage portions 50 and 52 andportions of the wrapper overlying the lateral passage `-portions 40, 40have been punctured. Prior to this time, the charcoal block elements 24,26 have been protected in the wrapper l2 and the users vhands will notbe soiled to any considerable extent. Igniting of Vthe tear strip 2t)results in the igniting of the kindling element 28, it being noted thatair will be available in the diagonal passage portions 42, 42 as well asfrom the lateral pa-ssage portions 40, 40. All of the heat of thekindling element 28 will be utilized within the lateral passage portionsof the block element to ignite the block elements of the briquette andexhaust gases may readily escape through the vertical passages 50, 52.Although the wrapper 12 is combustible, its burning is not intended tohave the primary function of igniting the briquette but when it isburning it will aid in igniting the `outer surfaces of the blockelements. Additionally, inasmuch vas the foot elements 32 raise thelower 4surface of the block element 26 o'of a support surface, air maymove readily beneath the block element 39 to the central `opening 36.

Further, the heat reflecting material 34 will reflect the heat upwardlyafter a bed of coals had been prepared. Still further, after thebriquette is ignited from within, various lateral passage portions willprovide Weakened sections in the block elements to facilitate thebreaking of the block elements, especially the upper block element, inorder to spread the coals around and provide a sufciently large area ofcoals.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variouschanges maybe made without departing from the spirit of the invention and,therefore, the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawingsand described in the specification but only as to the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A charcoal briquette product comprising a body member including atop, bottom and peripheral side edge portions, a plurality of lateralpassage portions intermediately of said top and bottom portions andopening into said peripheral side edge portions, a plurality of verticalpassage portions opening into said top portion and cornmunicating withsaid lateral passage portions, at least one central opening extendingthrough said bottom portion and communicating with said lateralpassage'V portions, readily inflammable integral kindling meansinterposed in certain of said lateral passage portions between saidcentral opening and certain of said vertical passage portions forinitially igniting within said briquette product, said lateral andvertical passage portions deningweak cned sections lin said briquetteproduct for facilitating the breaking up Yof said product afterlinternal ignition to form `a bed of discrete charcoal portions, saidbody merri-y ber 'comprising a pair of juxtaposed, integral and sepa#rate upper'and lower block elements having mating por tions for"orienting the same'with respect to each other, each of said blockelements including complementary overlying grooves forming said lateralpassage portions and confining said integral kindling means therein,said upper block element including said vertical passage portionstherein, and said lower block element including said central opening,and means retaining said briquette product upper and lower blockelements and said integral kindling means in the form of an integralunit.

2. The charcoal briquette product of claim l wherein said block elementsare rectangular in configuration, said lateral passage portions comprisea plurality of radially extending passages originating from said centralopen ing, a peripheral, rectangularly conformed groove pori tionincluding an intermediate cross-shaped portion hatla ing a leg betweeneach adjacent radial passage, said crossshaped portion intersecting saidcentral opening, said readily inammable kindling means conforming to theshape of said peripheral, rectangular groove and cross-Y shaped'portionsand having a central portion overlying said central opening.

3. The charcoal briquette product of claim 1 wherein said lower blockelement includes foot portions on the underside thereof to raise thelower surface of the briJ quette product off a support surface to insurethe movea ment of air toisaid central opening.

4 The charcoal briquette product of claim 1 wherein said lower blockelement includes a sheet of heat-reflectJ ing material on the undersurface thereof, and said means retaining the briquette product as aunit comprises a combustible cover enclosing said body and heat-Vreecting material, said combustible cover comprising a tear-stripadjacent said central opening in said lower block element and forming afuse to ignite said kindling means within the briquette product.

5. The charcoal briquette product of claim 1 wherein said meansretaining the briquette product as a unit comprises a combustiblewrapper on said body member, said wrapper including a tear-strip beneathsaid central opening of the lower block to provide a fuse to initiallyignite saidkindling means, and a plurality of penetrable portionsoverlying certain of said vertical passage portions to insure a gooddraft through the interior of said block.

6. The charcoal briquette product of claim 2 wherein saidrectangularlyconformed groove and cross-shaped portion of said lateralpassage portions having a greater cross-sectional dimension than saidradially extending passage portions, said kindling means comprising anintegrally formed inflammable element being impregnated with aninflammable fuel, said upper block including a central recessed portionoverlying the central portion of said kindling means, the rectangularlyconformed groove portion of said upper block element being spaced sub'-stantially above the kindling means and the leg portions of said upperblock element being disposed a substantial 5 distance above theunderlying portions of the kindling means.

7. The charcoal briquette product of claim 2 wherein said meansretaining said brique-tte product as a unit comprises a combustiblewrapper on said body member, said wrapper including a tear-strip beneathsaid central opening of the lower block to provide a fuse to initiallyignite said kindling means, and a plurality of penetrable portionsoverlying certain of said vertical passage por tions to insure a gooddraft through the interior of said block.

8. The charcoal briquette product of claim 3 wherein said meansretaining said briquette product as a unit cornprises a combustibleWrapper on said body member, said wrapper including a tear-strip beneathsaid central opening of the lower block to provide a fuse to initiallyignite said kindling means, and a plurality of penetrable portionsoverlying certain of said vertical passage portions to insure a gooddraft through the interior of said block.

9. The charcoal briquette product of claim 6 wherein said meansretaining said briquette product as a unit comprises a combustiblewrapper on said body member, said wrapper including a tear-strip beneathsaid central open- 6 ing of the lower block to provide a fuse toinitially ignite said kindling means, and a plurality oi penetrableportions overlying certain of said vertical passage portions to insure agood draft through the interior of said block.

10. The charcoal briquette product of claim 6 wherein said kindlingmeans being substantially planar, said crossshaped portions of saidlateral passages portions being inclined upwardly from the centralopening in said lower block element and extending angularly with respectto the lgeneral plane of said kindling means.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 214,467Stoker Apr. 15, 1879 829,072 Hill Aug. 21, 1906 1,401,803 Lynes Dec. 27,1921 2,398,508 Shoemaker Apr. 16, 1946 2,834,661 Chaplin May 13, 19582,933,378 Mustin et al. Apr. 19, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 5,697Great'Britain Feb. 1, 1890

1. A CHARCOAL BRIQUETTE PRODUCT COMPRISING A BODY MEMBER INCLUDING A TOP BOTTOM AND PERIPHERAL SIDE EDGE PORTIONS, A PLURALITY OF LATERAL PASSAGE PORTIONS INTETMEDIATELY OF SAID TOP AND BOTTOM PORTIONS AND OPENING INTO SAID PERIPHERAL SIDE EDGE PORTIONS , A PLURALITY OF VERTICAL PASSAGE PORTIONS OPENING INTO SAID TOP PORTION AND COMMUNICATING WITH SAID LATERAL PASSAGE PORTIONS, AT LEAST ONE CENTRAL OPENING EXTENDING THROUGH SAID BOTTOM PORTION AND COMMUNICATING WITH SAID LATERAL PASSAGE PORTIONS, READILY INFLAMMABLE INTEGRAL KINDLING MEANS INTERPOSED IN CERTAIN OF SAID LATERAL PASSAGE PORTIONS BETWEEN SAID CENTRAL OPENING AND CERTAIN OF SAID VERTICAL PASSAGE PORTIONS FOR INITIALLY IGNITING WIHTHIN SAID BRIQUETTE PRODUCT, SAID LATERAL AND VERTICAL PASSAGE PORTIONS DEFINING WEAKENED SECTIONS IN SAID BRIQUETTE PRODUCT FOR FACILITATING THE BREAKING UP OF SAID PRODUCT AFTER INTERNAL IGNITION TO FORM A BED OF DISCRETE CHARCOAL PORTIONS, SAID BODY MEMBER COMPRISING A PAIR OF JUXTAPOSEDF, INTEGRAL AND SEPARATE UPPER AND LOWER BLOCK ELEMENTS HAVING MATING PORTIONS FOR ORIENTING THE SAME RESPECT TO EACH OTHER, EACH OF SAID BLOCK ELEMENTS INCLUDING COMPLEMENTARY OVERLYING GROOVES FORMING SAID LATERAL PASSAGE PORTIONS AND CONFINING SAID INTEGRAL KINDLING MEANS THEREIN, SAID UPPER BLOCK ELEMENT INCLUDING SAID VERTICAL PASSAGE PORTIONS THERERIN, AND SAID LOWER BLOCK ELEMENT INCLUDING SAID CENTRAL OPENING, AND LOWER BLOCK ELEMENTS AND SAID INTEGRAL UCT UPPER AND LOWER BLOCK ELEMENTS AND SAID INTEGRAL KINDLING MEANS IN THE FORM OF AN INTEGRAL UNIT. 